Super fast Social Security disability benefits
One of my readers asked:
I had my hearing 2 weeks ago in Denver. The judge made an immediate favorable decision. My lawyer told me that most people get their benefits before they even receive the decision. I’m waiting patiently.
Congratulations on the win!
I have written about how long it takes after a hearing to get a decision, as well as my experience with how long it takes to actually get the benefits.
Personally, I have never seen benefits paid before the receiving a decision.
However, I have started to see some cases where a client receives a letter from the local Social Security office scheduling an appointment …
Are Social Security disability benefits forever?
Many people wonder what will happen after they are approved for Social Security disability benefits?
Will my benefits be stopped?
Will I continue to get Social Security disability benefits for the rest of my life?
Except for closed period cases, Social Security disability benefits normally can continue for an indefinite period of time. An individual may be able to receive benefit for the rest of his or her life.
Of course, this assumes that the impairments continue to be disabling (and any other non-medical requirements continue to be met).
Here is the catch:
“Combined years of experience” in legal advertising
This advertising tactic is a bit of a joke in legal circles. Yet it pops up surprisingly frequently. I am sure you have seen lawyers ads touting the “combined experience” of the lawyers in the firm:
18 years of combined legal experience
40 years of combined legal experience
90 years of combined legal experience
Even a quick check of Google reveals a number of law firms using this language.
Well, I’m here to tell you – don’t buy it!
What exactly are Social Security disability benefits?
If you are like most people, you probably have never had to think about what you would do if you became disabled. What would you do if you suddenly could not work? How would you pay your rent or mortgage? How would you afford to see your doctor?
Social Security provides help if you ever find yourself in this situation.
Generally, Social Security disability benefits provide two things:
Monthly cash benefits – to help you pay for your expenses.
Health insurance (Medicare or Medicaid) – to help you pay for your medical expenses.
Social Security has two similar disability programs: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental …
38 conditions added to Compassionate Allowance program in Social Security disability cases
Thirty-eight additional medical conditions have been added to Social Security’s list of conditions which qualify for fast-track Compassionate Allowances in Social Security disabilty claims.
The addition of these new conditions expands the scope of Compassionate Allowances to a broader subgroup of conditions like early-onset Alzheimer’s disease … The expansion we are announcing today means tens of thousands of Americans with devastating disabilities will now get approved for benefits in a matter of days rather than months and years.
Here are the 38 new Compassionate Allowance conditions:
How going to school affects a Social Security disability benefits case?
I have worked with a number of people who have gone back to school while applying for Social Security disability benefits. This may be going to (or back to) college, trade school, or just getting more training. Generally, Social Security wants to see people getting on with their lives and trying to find a way to make a living. Going back to school is a common part of this.
However, it can sometimes cause problems in a disability case. Social Security cases can be summed up as, “do your conditions keep you from being able to do some kind of work?” That is a bit of a simplification since the standard is whether an individual can engage is a “substantial gainful activity,” but it is a good question to start with.
I’m not trying to work, I’m just going to school. Is this going to be a problem?
That depends on several factors:
